PROMPT - Global Evidence of effect

Maternal outcomes

PROMPT training aims to eliminate preventable harm in childbirth. In high income countries, maternal outcomes following childbirth have improved to the extent that maternal death and life-threatening maternal illness are now rare. However, preventable harm still complicates half the cases that have poor maternal outcomes.

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Maternal mortality in low and middle-income countries remains a significant problem. The introduction of PROMPT training in these settings has resulted in improved maternal survival confirmed in peer-reviewed studies from the Philippines and Zimbabwe.

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In Bristol, PROMPT training has led to more rapid access to caesarean birth during emergencies and significant improvements in the management of eclampsia and post-partum haemorrhage. 

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Fetal Outcomes​

The reduction of preventable harm for mothers and their babies is core to PROMPT training activities. ​Whereas many published training interventions have not led to an improvement in clinical outcomes, in Bristol the introduction of PROMPT has led to reductions in hypoxic brain injury, cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, and reduction decision to delivery interval for emergency caesarean birth.​

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PROMPT training in maternity units is having a significant impact, both in New Zealand and internationally.  Published evidence from Kansas (US) and Victoria (Australia) have demonstrated similar improvements to the UK.

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In Kansas in the USA the introduction of PROMPT has led to a reduction in low 5-minute Apgar scores and brachial plexus injuries. In Victoria in Australia the introduction of PROMPT has led to a reduction in low 5-minute Apgar scores and reduced NICU admissions.

PROMPT training has transformed the way healthcare professionals are trained worldwide, improving the implementation of best practice and outcomes for mothers and babies. 

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Financial impact

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Unsafe maternity care leads to a huge drain on financial resources; litigation costs were £700 per birth in the UK in 2012 (NHSLA 2012). This results in less money being available to provide care for women and their babies.

The PROMPT programme has improved clinical outcomes in many units across the world, as well as the UK. These impacts have been associated with published reductions in litigation costs in the US, Australia and the UK.​​​​​​​​​​​

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